DEFENDING THE PEN – is all about murder . . . and romance . . . writing it! I post interviews, book reviews, and flash fiction, and occasionally it's all about me. Careful . . . you may end up the victim . . . of fun!

Monday, May 22, 2017

Dreams, Goals and Adventure is a series of personal stories, the ups and downs of someone who inspires to reach all of the dreams set forth and how sometime a life event creates a situation requiring a major adjustment. It is stories others will be able to relate to with the life adventures each and every one of them have experienced, both good and challenging

◊ DREAMS, GOALS AND ADVENTURE by Michael D. Ditton

◊ Paperback: 148 pages

◊ Genre: Self-Help, Motivational

◊ Publisher: BalboaPress (October 19, 2015)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 1504335880

◊ ISBN-13: 978-1504335881

From broke to retired in ten years . . .

Returning home from Desert Storm, I found myself mentally and financially bankrupt. Newly divorced, I had no job, no help, and no hope. My reasons to live were gone. At the lowest point in my life, I fell back on simple truths from my childhood: hard work gets results, and it's okay to dream. And dream I did, setting goals that launched me from poverty to a life I could not have imagined. And you can do it, too.

Dreams, Goals, and Adventure will inspire you to dream big, work toward your goals, and live your life as an adventure every day.

* Don't be afraid to dream.

* Don't accept “no” as an answer.

* Remove “can't” from your vocabulary.

* Small goals are stepping stones to much larger goals.

* Learn how to spring forward from failure.

* Know you will have to adjust.

* Live life as an adventure.

"Your experiences are so extra-ordinary and you're fascinating to listen to. Your speaking style is humble and respectful of both your role as a speaker and of your audience, as one would expect after hearing of what you were trained to do. If others would open their lives to adventure as you have they would love their life even more." ~Jim Cathcart, author of the bestsellers: The Acorn Principle and Relationship Selling. CEO of Cathcart.com

Michael Ditton is an entrepreneur, personal development coach, and student of life. In addition to helping others realize their dreams, he can be found sailing or traveling in search of new adventures.

“When met by unexpected challenges, embrace them wholeheartedly as opportunities for adventure and education.”

I developed Goal-Setting Basics to help others interested in learning how to set goals. In my twenties, I had to gather these valuable bits of information a piece at a time. This site offers you an array of information, tools, and resources to help you in identifying, setting, and accomplishing your goals, whatever they might be. In these tools are free worksheets and examples to help you succeed. You will find Goal-Setting Basics is your single source for all of your goal-setting needs.

“Financial Independence means having control over your time

without worrying about the ability to pay your bills” … So many think they have to be as wealthy as Bill Gates to live a rich life, that is so far from the truth … Let me show you how.

I was a dreamer from an early age. To this day I believe anyone can do whatever they choose to put their mind to.

I didn’t go from eight years old to semi-retired in the length of one sentence. Nor was it easy. But I did follow a simple, time-honored process.

I was in my twenties before I fully understood the true importance of goal setting. After that, I was able to be more focused, see where I wanted to be, how I was going to get there, notice when I needed to make adjustments, and had the satisfaction of reaching goals. I enjoyed the benefits of reaching a goal and putting a big, fat check mark on my list.

Here’s how those goals paid off:

At 8, sold vegetables door to door from my little red wagon

Age 13, supervisor, World’s Fare Hamburgers

Age 15, assistant manager trainee, Pizza Hut

Age 16, assistant manager, Round Table Pizza

Age 18, began a 20-year commitment with the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, retiring in 2005 as a staff sergeant and Desert Storm veteran. Over my service career I became a leader and was recognized and awarded for my achievements and outstanding service.

Age 20, found my true calling as a sales professional

Age 31, began a successful career in real estate and real estate investments

Age 36, semi-retired

Age 37, owned and operated several companies

Age 41, semi-retired, sold everything and sailed south on his 45’ sailboat

Although I found success at a very early age, I became painfully aware of how quickly it can all be taken away. In 1991, after I returned from Desert Storm, I found myself bankrupt, mentally, physically and financially and divorced.

It was the lowest point in my life. Four years later, I had clawed my way back to even, and started to build from there. Two years after that, following my roadmap of goals, I reached my first level of financial independence. The rest is history.

For those following his tour, Michael is offering a special price on the Kindle eBook format of DREAMS, GOALS, AND ADVENTURE at a reduced cost of just 99 cents!Readers can also get a FREE copy of Michael’s GOAL SETTING BASICS in the eBook format. For one or both of these special offers just CLICK HERE!

Thanks for visiting during Michael’s tour stop. Are you following your dreams?

If you're considering a book tour for your next release check out Mason Canyon of MC Book Tours.

She is the complete package! Organized, on top of all the details, and so supportive! She has several plans to fit a budget, but the real advantage is that she takes care of all of it. You just have to provide the information, the guest posts, and show up on game day! She makes it easy!

Thank you, Mason, The Snowman's success wouldn't be what it is without you!

It may be hard to believe that I wrote THE SNOWMAN while enjoying this view almost daily, but to be honest it's why I was able to keep my sanity throughout the process. When Stowy became too much to handle a long walk on the beach would make all the difference in the world. I was truly blessed to have had the opportunity!

For those of you interested in winning a copy there's several opportunities being offered during the tour, and a new one that starts on the 12th via Goodreads! I hope you take the opportunity!

If you don't want to wait and are curious and willing to write a review - I'll send you an eBook copy - just email me at yolandarenee@hotmail.com and let me know if you want Mobi or EPub - print copies are also available!

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

What is the weirdest/coolest thing you ever had to research
for your story?

Since I write murder mysteries – I've
researched various serial killers their methods and their reasons – many never
share the why? But as a person interested in motivations, I give my antagonists
a background befitting their psychotic bent.

It takes a true artist to pursue
his victims in the art of seduction, and Stowy Jenkins is no exception,
especially with blood as his medium.

Stowy Jenkins, aka, the Snowman, is a true artist. His muse, Gigi, is the
ultimate inspiration for his painting. Her rejection inspires him to use a very
unusual medium…blood.

While art may be his passion, the taste for blood is his obsession, and
multiple murders, the result.

Rookie, Detective Steven Quaid, is no fan of the Snowman’s murderous
exhibitions. A twisted and deadly relationship bond the two men and neither
knows who will come out of it alive.

This is a prequel to the Detective Quaid Mysteries. This story tells of Steven’s first
case as a rookie detective. It takes place 10 years before the events in MURDER,
MADNESS & LOVE, the first book in the series.